Trish Stratus Reveals How “First Crush” Merch Idea Came to Fruition

Trish Stratus knows exactly who she is to wrestling fans—and she turned that nostalgic admiration into merch gold.

During the January 29, 2026 episode of the What’s Your Story? podcast with Stephanie McMahon, the WWE Hall of Famer revealed she’s leaning into the “first crush”that fans—and even wrestlers—have given her for decades. The moment quickly turned into a merch pitch, and Trish hinted that something is already in the works.

“So I wore this shirt when I came back recently. It was ‘Your First Crush.’ And everyone was like, yeah! So now everything I sign, they’re like, ‘Could you just write, My First Crush?’”

Trish explained how her appeal has become multi-generational, stretching from longtime fans to their kids—something she’s totally fine with.

“I don’t mind being people’s first crush. I don’t mind current crush. Whatever… The cool thing is like, I’m like the dad’s crush—and now the kid, I’m their crush. I’m generational.”

Stephanie’s sister joined in the fun: “You were their second crush.”Trish fired back with a laugh: “You don’t count after. You remember your first crush, and that’s it. The rest are just a bunch of people you liked until you got married or something.”

That led to Stephanie making an on-the-spot pitch: “Once again, I’m gonna pitch a merch line. I think you should do ‘My First Crush’ shirts.” Trish didn’t even blink: “I might be on that already. Thanks, Steph. I might have my people on that.”

The merch tease comes just a day after Trish visited WWE Headquarters and stopped in front of the champions mural—specifically pointing at Jade Cargill—before teasing a return: “Maybe I need to return to this wall, just sayin’.”

With WrestleMania 42 season in full swing and her 25th anniversary still waiting for a proper limelight, Trish’s merch tease might not be the only thing she’s planning.

Would you buy a “My First Crush” Trish Stratus shirt—and do you want to see her challenge Jade Cargill? Drop your thoughts below.

Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.